There is likely to be the sounds of creaking bones and the sight of cobwebs being dusted off cricket bats and boots when the BOPCA Over 35 League makes its entrance this afternoon.

Cricket Manager at Bay of Plenty Cricket Mark Webb says the new over 35-years-old cricket league has been established to get former competitive club players back into cricket.

A new cricket league will start this weekend.

'Many players drift away from the game on retirement from club cricket and it is hoped the new Sunday league will see formers players re-establish links with Bay of Plenty clubs.”

Five teams have entered the new Over 35 league, with the name of the Opotiki Optimists likely to sum up the feelings of many of the participants.

The Opotiki representatives will play at home at the Waioeka Domain where a sole Bay of Plenty representative fixture was played against Poverty Bay in 1962.

Rotorua will field a combined team of former players, from a number of Rotorua clubs, some of which are no longer in existence.

Mount Maunganui, Te Puke and Cadets, who are all long time Western Bay clubs, have seen former members and a few new recruits answer the call to duty to play in the Sunday League.

The competition kicks off this Sunday, with Cadets hosting the Rotorua combined team at the Tauranga Domain, while Mount Maunganui are at home to Te Puke – with Opotiki sitting on the sideline courtesy of the first round bye.

BOPCA Over 35 Cricket Competition Draw

Round One – February 3

Cadet's v Rotorua, Tauranga Domain; Mount Maunganui v Te Puke, Blake1; Opotiki Optimists the bye.

Round Two – February 17

Te Puke v Rotorua, Te Puke Domain; Opotiki Optimists v Cadets, Waioeka Domain; Mount Maunganui the bye.

Round Three – March 3

Te Puke v Opotiki Optimists, Te Puke Domain; Rotorua v Mount Maunganui, Smallbone Park; Cadets the bye.

Round Four – March 17

Opotiki Optimists v Mount Maunganui, Waioeka Domain; Cadets v Te Puke, Tauranga Domain; Rotorua the bye.

Round Five – March 24

Rotorua v Opotiki Optimists, Smallbone Park; Mount Maunganui v Cadets, Blake1; Te Puke the bye.